DESPITE REPORTS of increasing incidents of rape of foreign tourists at popular tourist sites, there seems to be clear apathy towards the whole issue of tourist safety in India. But it seems the government of India (GoI) has now awakened from its slumber. The rise in the number of rape and molestation cases against women tourists in India has forced the government to review the safety and security measures in place for the visitors. Tourism secretary Shilabhadra Banerjee has written to the chief secretaries of all states to ensure that proper measures are in place to make tourist destinations secure. The centre has decided to review the safety and security measures with the State governments at a high-level meeting to be held on January 24.

 

Already, several prominent countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada and France have issued warnings on the law and order situation here through the travel advisories they circulate to their citizens planning to visit India. They have specifically warned women tourists about the possibility of physical harassment and molestation in major tourism destinations like Delhi, Agra, Goa and Himachal Pradesh. In 2007, there has been a spate of rapes. The Incredible India tag the government seeks to promote surely rings hollow to the victims of such savagery. Some of the incidents that came to light were: 

 

·           On New Year’s Eve, molestation of tourists was reported from Mumbai and Kochi.

·           A British journalist has alleged she was raped by the owner of a guesthouse in Udaipur where she stayed last week. 

·           In another incident in Rajasthan, a 28-year-old American tourist was allegedly molested by a priest in a temple in the Hindu pilgrim town of Pushkar. The priest was subsequently arrested.

·           In March last, the son of a senior police officer was found guilty of raping a German researcher in Rajasthan. 

·           Also last year, a Japanese tourist complained that she was drugged and raped by a group of men in Pushkar. 

 

Until November 2007, a record 4. 4 million foreign tourists had set foot in India, double the figure within this decade. This is however an insignificant number compared to China’s 45 million, Singapore’s 7.5 million and Spain’s 55 million. The problem is that though we’ve been able to increase tourist arrivals, little has been done to create the infrastructure to host these visitors. The security aspect, which is important, has been neglected for long. 

 

Those associated with tourism in the country, are worried about the spate of crimes targeting single women from abroad and have urged authorities to check the trend. This not only maligns the image of our country but affects the economy as well. Tourism industry is one of the main contributors to our GDP. India has always been considered a very peaceful country, but these rape and molestation cases have been affecting the country’s image. Tourists will have to be reassured that they are safe here; otherwise we may see a decline in arrivals, especially of foreign individuals.